Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Today, Wednesday, is a blogathon day for the people protesting the CPSIA laws.Many people are not aware of them, and so that's what the blog posts are for. If you'd like to join us, please do so.

The CPSIA laws are laws that are a reaction to the lead poisoning problems with toys coming from China. The laws say that all things that are going to children 12 and under must be tested for lead.

Sounds good, right?

Except it also requires testing of handmade items, made from safe products, in American homes. This will kill the handmade toy industry. Many crafters are getting scared, and are stopping making any dolls or teddies or children's clothes or anything like that, until this mess is sorted out.

They made their items out of non lead based products. And since things are one of a kind, or they're a tiny 'company' (think, one woman in her sewing room going to fairs or selling online) how could they afford it? If it's one of a kind, they can't possibly get everything tested because it changes every time!

The law also covers older toys at present. Though various officials people on Etsy have talked to have said that they will use 'common sense', (for example, antique dolls that cost $500 most people would understand they're for adult collectors, not children) but the fear is still there. So people are stopping selling.

Books will apparently have to be pulled from shelves.The fear is that you won't be able to buy children's clothes from opportunity shops anymore.

This law is only in the USA, but it would affect me, and English people, because I do like getting stuff online from the US, and I'm afraid that it'll be picked up here as a good idea.

I'm also concerned for miniatures, because I don't know how strict or stupid the lawmakers will be. The makers of collectors dolls (crafty looking soft ones) are afraid right now because they make dolls... that the law will consider it for children. Would the law also look at 'dollhouse' and instantly think 'for children' as well? We all know that assumptions happen.

Will online marketplaces such as Etsy take it upon themselves to check for licenses? So... even if it ISNT for children, or it's actually an Australian or English company, will they take it off their site so that they don't potentially get sued? (like they remove Hello Kitty things if they're reported)

Even if it's not true and the law isn't that stupid to compare our miniatures with children's play things, will people think it IS true and pull their products from the internet? As can be seen from my Etsy thread asking if I have to worry, some people are thinking that dollhouse miniatures should be pulled due to CPSIA laws- will all people assume that, even if it's not true, as apparently it's not? (read the second page of the thread.) You should see how many people are crying because they are closing their stores on Etsy.

If I made some chunkier dollhouse food for children (and labelled it for say, 5 years and over, adult supervision required, etc etc, potential choking hazard) and sold it online to an American, would that be illegal? And that's a thought, will you no longer be allowed to buy hand made children's dollhouse food? I've seen some great ones for barbie doll houses!

YES the lead in the chinese toys was tragic. But this law is really going to hurt crafters and small businesses around the world.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Miniaturists have all sorts of different tastes for the figures in their houses, and there's something to suit everyone! These dolls are made of the old 'dolly' pegs, rather than the porcelain or clay that many dollhouse dolls are made of. They're made by 'Uneekdolldesigns'

Have you been featured on Fluffy Bricks? Want to show off about that?Here's two images that you could use to tell your blog or website that you have been featured- you can attach a link to your fluffybricks submission behind it, or put a link below!

Also, FluffyBricks now has its own Meme Award.All Fluffybricks followers can use this award- It works like a normal meme. You post the picture up on your site, and then nominate 5 people who you think deserve a mention for their beautiful or strange miniatures- things that would be worthy of Fluffy Bricks. Then they save the award, and nominate it to 5 more people. The nominations can be from anywhere. Websites, Livejournal, Blogger, Wordpress, a miniatures forum, anywhere! You could nominate their whole blog, or individual pictures! And you have a choice of two Meme images.

I'd like to nominate- Everyone who has been accepted on Fluffy Bricks so far!

If you have suggestions of different images I could use, or you wouldn't mind me using one of your images, please, suggest it!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Sorry, Firefox is 'being a vixen' today.It's not letting me open more than one window, and apparently, tabs and popups, including the one that comes up when you put photos into blogspot, are right out.

I'll get the next lot of photos up as soon as I can.

I've got a 'links post' below, perhaps some of you might be interested in participating?

I've added to the events and the media on the 'miniature penfriends' part of the site- give it a look!

Here's a question for you all- What first inspired you to be interested in miniatures?

(best answers will go on the website!)

If anyone has Australian themed dollhouse items, I'd love it if you'd submit photos of them!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

This tiny blue dart frog is sculpted by WhimsyCottageMinis and peeking out from his terra cotta planter home. He is surrounded by lush greenery and mini 'plants'. The backdrop is a jungle motif to complete the look.

Danish children's book author Shane Brox guides you through one of the most beautiful dollhouse palaces in the world; Titania's Palace. It was the name given to an intricately constructed edifice created by British peer Sir Nevile Wilkinson as a dwelling place for the Fairy Queen Titania, inspired by his small daughter Guendolen's imagination. The Palace, which includes more than 3,000 pieces of miniature furniture and treasures, took almost 30 years to complete and was officially inaugurated by Queen Mary in 1922. It was exhibited throughout the world and raised the equivalent of 60 million danish kroner for the benefit of deprived and handicapped children, before it was sold by Guendolen in the late 60's. As her father, she had a good heart too and the entire sales of the palace was donated to a children's home. Today the palace can be visited at Egeskov castle in Denmark.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

I thought I'd write something a little different today. Scroll down for pictures, and of course as usual, any submissions are gratefully received.

When most people talk about books that got them into dollhouses, they talk about The Borrowers. I liked several other books as well. I'm not sure if they got me into dollhouses, or if I liked them because I was already inclining in that direction of interest.

The book series I want to talk about today is "The String Family" by Patricia Cleveland-Peck. I wish I could find a copy in a library in this city. When I have a little extra money I might try and find it online, someone must have it. I'm not sure how many books were in the series, I think there were at least three of them: The String Family, The String Family at Home and The String Family in Summer. There may have been more that I can't remember or find a mention of online.

I was constantly borrowing these books from my school library.

The String Family was about a family of people made from string. When they were 'alive' they were plaited into the shape of a person. When they were observed, they could unravel themselves. I think one of the characters had a job tying up vegetables in the garden. I know that for a while they lived in a potting shed, but I think there was also a time that they lived behind a couch. The daughter's name was Flax.

They had various adventures.

It was quite creative, and it caught my imagination. I was more interested in them than The Borrowers for a while, because The String Family was aimed at younger people than The Borrowers, and also... I thought that I didn't need to play Borrowers, because that would defeat the whole idea of them being real. Playing Borrowers involved me leaving stuff out for them to find and take away, or imagining them within the walls. The String Family, on the other hand, I felt in control of.

In the back of one of the books were instructions on how to make a String Person. So I made six of them, and they lived in one of my drawers. While cleaning my room the other day (pulling everything out of the room) I found them. And you bet I kept them. And I discovered that at the bottom of the drawer I'd chalked 'room divisions' into it. So, lines, dividing up the areas of their home. I made them seats out of corks with a few sewing pins in it as a back support, and the cushion was a scrap of fabric. They'd 'eat' seeds that I'd 'steal' from my pet rat's food bin.

I made them a chest of drawers from three matchboxes stuck together. The handles were beads on a wire, and I covered the chest of drawers with a piece of fabric.

"The miniature world of the String family - Mr and Mrs String, their children, Hemp, Flax, Twine and baby Skein all come alive and share their adventures with Sally in Miss Floribunda's cottage in the country. Sally is the only human child to be introduced to the String family and friends..."

I'd love to see these books reprinted so that more children can find something else miniature related!

Monday, January 19, 2009

This is an N scale model of an HO scale train layout--a model of a model! Although it measures only 1/2-inch wide, the train runs and the station lights up. It's shown here with a dime.

(So, this would look good in a dollhouse!)

"This may be one of the crudest looking layouts you've ever laid eyes on, but before you pass such harsh judgment on it, take a guess at how big it is. You probably would not think that it's all of about a half-inch across the front. I nicknamed it the Sceniced and Ridiculously Small Railroad"

"In N Scale, the layout measures four by eight feet. And... it works. The train travels around the layout in either direction. It passes through a tunnel, through a bridge, past an illuminated passenger station, water tower, factory, and two houses. Plus trees, telephone poles and cars. Not to mention a waterfall and a river."

Sunday, January 18, 2009

I don't have permission to post his photos on this blog (Haven't asked, maybe I will one day) but I thought you might like to see the link! You can also look at him on tv, on youtube. It's fascinating.He makes art that you need a microscope to see, and fits into the eye of a needle.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

For something a little different today, I wanted to show some pictures of the outside of a dollhouse, that the creator, Doreen, has decorated. Each season she changes the outside of her dollhouse to match! I think it's a great idea and it would certainly add to the display of the house. One thing I personally love about miniatures is that projects are 'never done', and you can always add to it. Of course not all dollhouses have a garden, but you could put snow on the roof or windowsill, or decorate the inside of the house for various holidays, and the dollhouse therefore becomes a seasonal ornament!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Thankyou, Debbie, for participating in the Fluffy Bricks Competition!Debbies Blog, "Debbies Tiny Treasures"covers her miniatures and a bit of her life!

"

I didn't start making miniatures until 1989, when I received my first Handmade Doll's House that my Mum & Dad, had, had built for me, by their friend Jack, a Master Carpenter.I'd always been into Craft's and decided that I'd have a go at making my own miniature pieces to fill my house. I found some Fimo in a craft shop and the rest, they say is History. (Although some of my first attempts should have gone in the bin)..I've made some wonderful friends in the Miniature World, who have been a source of inspiration and encouragement. For that I thank them.Like I've always said "Its the small things that make life Beautiful".. "

Hello everyone! No update today, because I'm in the middle of a house cleaning adventure. Today I rediscovered my polly pockets, my little ponies, trolls, soft toys, and 'Quints'. Remember those?I'm sure that I loved polly pockets and quints more than usual people do, because I was such a miniaturist even then! I also found my 'String Family'- anyone remember those books? I made my own string family and they had a house in one of my drawers. Good times! For some reason I didn't make "Borrowers", because I thought hey, if they're real, they don't need me to make a little pretend home for them- they wouldn't live in it anyway.

I'll count up the points for the competition as soon as I have time- if there are any you haven't claimed, now's your chance.

I'm also on a really bad laptop that keeps clicking on the middle of sentences as I'm typing, and it's 41 degrees today, yes that's right, celcius, and I'm supposed to be helping find a host for the next step in my internet empire that a friend and I are creating. You heard it here first folks, we're creating a site for 'good news'. And then many more sites after it. Any profits from this website, and this blog too by the way, goes towards our websites, and also to helping him raise enough money for a PHD. Yes, we have high hopes. But every little bit counts, right?

Also, I'd LOVE more photo submissions from people. Don't be afraid! My cache of photos grows ever smaller, and this is your chance to show off! Or if you know of someone who does some great things, pass me their contact details. You do'nt need to have a shop, or be an artisan.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

"This 1/12th scale (1" = 1') miniature tarantula is the most realistic tarantula I've made to date. The photos do not do him justice. When seen in person, people often ask me if he is, or was at one time, alive. Please note: No spiders were harmed in the making of this highly detailed miniature replica!

The tarantula is made of polymer clay and flocked for realism. He has glass eyes. He is approximately 1/2" in diameter, scale for a full-grown tarantula. His little home measures 2 1/8" long by 1 1/8" deep by 3/4" high and is complete with sand, greenery, half-log hideout, and filled 'water' dish.

He posed for the second photo before being glued into his home as these little guys are extremely difficult to photograph inside their plastic vivariums."

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Miniaturists often enjoy setting up scenes in their dollhouses, and come up with this sort of miniature!

Six beautiful pale pink roses sculpted individually from polymer clay are set into clear polymer clay ‘water’ in a tiny real glass vase. A little green lichen is added for foliage.Each rose is made in two slightly different tones of pink for added realism.

Unfortunately the vase has been knocked over and some of the water has already spilled out.

If you pick it up, the 'water' is stiff and immoveable, so you can place the 'spilled flowers' anywhere you want!

1. Thanks of course, to the people who have been submitting photos or letting me put their photos up. I'm a little short on submissions right now, so I'd love it if you'd send me some! I don't know you exist to ask you, especially if you don't have an Etsy shop. You certainly do not need to be an 'artisan' to submit things to this blog, I know that 'ordinary' miniaturists can make fantastic things too. I do ask that your photos are clear and of good quality. I might post a tutorial on the sorts of things I want, later on, or find one online that covers everything. If I 'reject' your photos on that basis, please do not take it as any sort of commentary on what it is a photo *of*.

Interesting model railway layouts and other 'related' miniature hobbies photos are also very welcome to be submitted- they won't be put up all the time, but an occasional set of photos for other scales would be interesting I think!

2. Thanks to those participating in the competition! I *do* need you to reply to the competition entry however, with what you've done that's pointsworthy. I really want to make this blog as popular as possible with miniaturists and non miniaturists alike! If you have suggestions on how I can do that, feel free to share.

3. If you missed it before, there's a link on the side of the blog, where I'm trying to create a forum for people to be able to find other miniaturists to have as online or real life friends! Miniaturists of any scale.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

"The Diet is a 1/12th dollhouse scale scene.The little hairy guy is 5.5 inches/ 14 cm tall. The photo's don't do him justice. He looks much better. ;-)He is made of polymer clay with posable arms. His clothes are handmade from cotton prints.The fridge is storebought but the vegetables and fruits inside are also handmade by me from polymer clay."

From Living: And it also looks like the fridge was hand made by *somebody*. I love his hairy feet! Definitely 'fluffy brick' quality to this.

{If you're here to read the blog, don't forget to scroll down for the photos!}

I really want to make this blog popular- Both in the miniatures community, and in the 'outside world'- because we all know these miniatures are fantastic, and I want them to be seen! But I can't do this alone.

If you'd like to help me out, I'd love it if you'd pass on the link to the blog- not just to miniaturists! Anyone can love looking at these. I'd love it if you'd submit photos, or encourage your friends to submit photos.

To reward those who help out, I'd like to offer a points based competition. The prize is a FREE advertising entry! (and it doesn't even have to be for a miniatures site/blog/shop!) After a week, I'll add up the points.

For posting the link on another site, blog or forum, including in your signature- 25 pointsFor posting the link in comments to a blog- 5 pointsFor submitting photos- 2 points per photoPLUS 10 points per photo I put up.For comments on this blog- 2 points per comment15 points if you begin to 'Follow' me.

When you do something pointsworthy, youmust post a reply to this entry stating what you have done, for those points to be counted. Yes even if you've submitted photos or commented on my blog somewhere- I need it to be easy to count.If you're not a blogger member, please make sure that your identity is clear, and that you leave contact details, with each post. Thanks!

About Me

A blog for photos of gorgeous or interesting dollhouse miniatures, plus information about the hobby.
If you'd like to submit photos to the blog, please send your good quality (non fuzzy, well lit, not too small) photos to Livinginthepast_minis@yahoo.com.au
along with any details about the photo, and how I should credit it if it is accepted.

All of these photos have been shown with permission. If you want them for your own blog, you must similarly ask permission.